Safety deal promises Mexican export breakthrough
Speaking at Fruit Logistica 2013, the industry body announced that México G.A.P. had received recognition from the nation’s food safety and quality authority SENASICA as being equivalent to the Contamination Risk Reduction System (SRRC) environmental management programme in the production, harvesting and packing of fruits and vegetables.
According to Mexico Calidad Suprema, the harmonization of the agricultural safety and good practice schemes will enable México G.A.P. certified producers to comply with both local regulations and work towards sales certification that will allow access to international markets.
This recognition has as its aim to promote, verify and certify activities carried out in the primary production of fruits and vegetables, while also bringing about the integration of a greater number of growers and fresh produce companies and enabling them to comply with trade regulations set out by global clients.
Mexico Calidad Suprema believes SAGARPA’s decision will contribute to a greater penetration of Mexican fruits and vegetables in both the national and international markets by promoting and encouraging the supply and availability of the quality and food safety demanded by consumers.
The recognition of SRRC equivalence is expected to provide a further boost to the development and uptake of México G.A.P. certification, with the Good Agricultural Practices scheme already having been benchmarked to the international GLOBALG.A.P. standard.
SAGARPA agreement
In a separate development, Mexico Calidad Suprema and the Mexican Ministry of Agriculture (SAGARPA) have agreed to a joint strategy to increase Mexico’s presence in international markets.
Among the goals, the organization is aiming to integrate a greater number of small and medium sized growers into its own Mexico Calidad Suprema quality certification programme so they can participate more fully in markets both at home and abroad.
For 2013, some 72,760 producers through 856 certified units are expected to benefit from the programme, which represents 59% of Mexico’s total certifiable area and is equivalent to an 23% increase compared with 2012.
During a meeting with Mexico Calidad Suprema members, SAGARPA minister Enrique Martínez y Martínez stressed that the government’s priority was to improve all aspects of the sector, including the professionalization and modernisation of inspections, and monitoring and certification processes to increase producers’ competitiveness internationally and the quality of Mexican products.
He said: “It is essential that we strengthen the food safety, health and quality of exported products, and even more, that we increase the variety of products with potential market demand.
“Therefore, we are looking to bring small and medium sized agricultural producers into the supply chain, the certification schemes and the high quality commercial promotions, all with the purpose of achieving rapid entry for their products into national and international markets.
“Have no doubt we are moving forward and that we are going to improve all the factors that can aid the presence of more Mexican products in the global market, with a greater focus on health and safety,” the minister added.
Mexico Calidad Suprema’s certification scheme has already achieved proven results in international markets, with 54 certified products now being exported worldwide, including avocados, mangoes, papaya, table grapes, bananas, berries, broccoli and tomatoes.
For more information please visit www.mexicocalidadsuprema.com.mx